The Big City: We Arrive in Lima

​While I was dreading starting off yet another break by sitting on another long flight, the flight to Lima wasn't so bad. We started out leaving Houston and taking a short flight to Atlanta where we had an hour layover that seemed to fly because by the time we ate lunch, it was time to board. I was mentally prepared for the long 6 hour journey ahead, preparing myself for gross food, swollen feet and the biggest concern of all: boredom. Luckily, I fell asleep and when I  woke up they were serving food. I was trying to convince myself that since Delta is associated with my favorite airlines, KLM, that they would provide decent food, and I was right! Grilled chicken, stuffing, sautéed carrots and spinach, a roll, crackers and cheese, and most importantly the blondie brownie! Anyhow, with the multiple meals, fruit ninja, naps and CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE on the big screen, I was impressed. By the time the entertainment was over, we landed. Once we dragged ourselves through immigration, customs, and luggage we walked out into the passenger pick up area. This is the moment I stepped back to observe the culture shock on Williams's face. What? A smile? A confused smile, but still he was smiling. As we walked into the room hundreds, literally, of people stood behind ropes holding up pick up signs. People looked down from all around balconies at the new arrivals. All you could hear was random names being called out, the joy of reuniting families, and..."taxi!" We somehow managed to find our tour guide who did an excellent job helping us feel like we were his royal guests. We were taken to our trendy hotel in Miraflores and passed out for the night, but not before updating my Facebook status, duh.

I LOVE traveling abroad, in fact love is an understatement. However, one thing I hate about arriving in a new country is that hellish car ride from the airport to your hotel. The disregarding of traffic signs and lights, the yellow lines everyone seems to ignore, and the worst of all- the honking. Dear god, is all that honking necessary? I think not. I am not one to say that anyone should do anything the "American" way, but really, with the exception of stupid teenage girls in giant SUVs, we've got the driving down. Once we arrived to our hotel, everything was pure bliss. Since we are budget travellers we picked a "modest" 3 star hotel. What we walked into could have easily been a 4 or 5 star hotel in the states. The lounge was gorgeous, the restaurant had beautiful lighting and a floor to ceiling wine rack, and our bathroom had a rain shower! We hung up our clothes in the beautiful mohagany cabinets and before I knew it, I had passed out. Tomorrow we will explore the wonderful cosmopolitan city of Lima!